Utilizing multimodal ultrasonography in conjunction with serum Ki-67 and HER2 tests for breast cancer detection and prognosis

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the diagnostic and prognostic value of multimodal ultrasound and serum human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and Ki-67 antigen (Ki-67) testing for breast cancer.MethodsWe enrolled 65 patients with breast cancer admitted to the Tianjin Fourth Centre Hospital between March 2018 and March 2019 as the study group, while the control group consisted of 65 patients with benign breast nodules admitted during the same time period. All cases underwent ultrasound elastography (UE), contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), serum examination, and Ki-67 and HER2 testing to determine the differences in multimodal ultrasound parameters and biomarkers, respectively, between the two groups and their relationship to the pathological features of breast cancer; ROC curves were generated to determine the accuracy of the combined examination in predicting breast cancer prognosis.ResultsThe study group had significantly higher UE score and CEUS-PI, significantly lower time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (MTT) levels than the control group (P < 0.001), and significantly higher serum HER2 and tumor tissue Ki-67 expression (P < 0.05).ConclusionIt is possible to improve the breast cancer diagnosis rate by using multimodal ultrasound in conjunction with serum Ki-67 and HER2 testing.

Keywords: Ki-67 antigen; breast cancer; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; ultrasonography; ultrasound elastography.